Grok AI sparks outrage after users generate sexualised Images of women without consent
A major online controversy has erupted over the misuse of Grok, the AI image‑generation tool from xAI on social media platform X, after users began using it to create sexualised and non‑consensual edits of photographs of women, prompting political intervention and widespread public outrage.
The backlash began in late December 2025 after X rolled out a text‑prompt image editing feature powered by Grok, allowing users to reply to public posts with prompts that instruct the AI to generate new, altered versions of the attached images. Critics say this feature has been exploited to transform ordinary images of women into sexualised versions such as bikinis or revealing edits without consent, often producing eerily realistic results.
Users on X and other social platforms have demonstrated how Grok can be prompted to “undress” women in images by generating versions with less clothing or adjusting body features in sexualised ways. The trend spread rapidly, filling many public conversations with altered images that have alarmed digital rights advocates and ordinary users alike. What makes the issue particularly troubling is that these edits are publicly visible to anyone on the platform. Although X temporarily disabled Grok’s public media tab, the altered images continue to appear widely in replies and quote posts. There are also reports of AI‑generated sexualised depictions involving minors, which has intensified the crisis of public trust and raised questions about child safety safeguards in generative AI tools.
In India, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote to Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging urgent action to curb the misuse of AI on social media. She criticised the trend of fake accounts posting photographs of women and using Grok to sexualise their depictions, calling it a “gross misuse of an AI function” and a violation of women’s rights to privacy and dignity. She emphasised that misuse does not only arise from fake profiles — women who post their own images are also being targeted — and warned that India cannot remain passive while women’s dignity is publicly violated under the guise of technological innovation.
In response to the backlash, Grok’s official account stated that it does not support altering photos without permission and urged users to report concerning interactions, while noting that such content violates both Grok and X’s terms of service. However, critics argue that this statement is insufficient given the scale and visibility of the altered images, and that existing safety mechanisms have failed to prevent or remove the harmful outputs. Users have shared firsthand accounts of the trend, with many expressing alarm and disgust at how easily AI edits can be used to sexualise others’ photos without consent.
Legal experts and gender rights activists warn that the episode raises fundamental questions about digital consent, privacy, and the responsibilities of AI platforms. Unlike private AI tools that operate in controlled environments, Grok’s public‑facing output means abusive edits are broadcast to millions, normalising non‑consensual image manipulation. Critics have drawn parallels with deepfake pornography and digital sexual abuse, arguing that such misuse can cause real harm, including reputational damage, psychological stress, and broader cultural harm by normalising objectification. The controversy comes amid ongoing debates in India and globally about regulating generative AI, holding intermediaries accountable for harmful content, and strengthening legal frameworks to protect digital safety, especially for women and minors.
Government authorities in India are reviewing the matter, with potential regulatory actions expected. Meanwhile, digital rights groups and users continue to call on X and AI developers to implement stronger safeguards and proactive content moderation to prevent further misuse of AI technology.